Cool and Damp Two Months RunningOctober 2006 Climate Summary

Dr. David A. Robinson
New Jersey State Climatologist
Center for Environmental Prediction, Cook College/NJAES, Rutgers University

For the first time since January and February 2004, New Jersey has experienced two consecutive months with below average temperatures. Neither this past September nor October was exceptionally below average, each only 0.4° and 0.1° on the negative side, respectively. However in recent years, coolness has been the exception rather than the rule. October averaged 54.1°, making it the 48th coolest of the past 112 years of record.

Precipitation averaged 6.58” in October, some 3.07” above normal. It was the 10th wettest October since 1895. Four of the past 5 months have received above normal precipitation. However, for the year, it is an even split of 5 months above and 5 below average.

Most of the state received its first freeze in mid October. Freezing temperatures encroached closer to the coast and urban areas when even colder air arrived on the 27th and 28th. However, come month's end, the central and southern coast and city centers had yet to drop as low as 32°F.